Advisory Board

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 Uzma A. Ansari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English Studies at NUML, Islamabad. She earned her PhD from the University of Amsterdam, focusing on Orhan Pamuk’s portrayal of the Turkish Republic and the modern nation-state. Her research explores cultural studies, modernity, decoloniality, and representations of cities in literature and film. She has published on musealisation, tribal representations in Pakistani Anglophone fiction, and racialized identities in nation-building. With a deep engagement in urban and postcolonial studies, her work critically examines historical narratives, identity formations, and the evolving landscapes of modernity in literature and culture. 

Prof. Dr. Rizwan Akhtar, born in the historic walled city of Lahore, developed a lifelong romance with its architectural extravagance and rich cultural heritage. Inspired by his father's love for Urdu and Persian literature, he grew up fascinated by Iqbal, Ghalib, Hafiz, and Ferdowsi. He earned his PhD in South Asian Literary Studies from the University of Essex in 2013. As a poet and professor, he navigates the teaching of poetry while writing from the heart. His debut collection, Lahore, I Am Coming (2017), pays tribute to exiled poetry, while A Farewell to Czesław Miłosz honors the Polish poet. He also explores translations of modern Urdu Nazm

Muhammad Sheeraz Dasti's most recent books are House of Treasures: Perspectives on Urdu Literature (Pakistan Academy of Letters, 2022—a collection of Aamer Hussein's writings that Dasti co-edited with Shahbano Alvi), Muntakhib Amreeki Kahanian (Pakistan Academy of Letters, 2022—the Urdu translation of selected contemporary American short stories with Umaira Aleem), and Lisaniyat: Aik Jame Taaruf (Oxford University Press, 2022—an introduction to linguistics in Urdu co-authored with Muhammad Numan, Bibi Ameena, and Liaqat Iqbal). His previous publications include his Urdu novel, Sasa (Aks, 2018), and his short stories “Kill All the Bats” (Scoundrel Time) and “Angelina Jolie’s Kiss” (Visions).

 Prof. Salman Basit, a retired Professor of English from Air University Islamabad, has taught in the USA, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Pakistan. An old Ravian and former editor of The RAVI, he received the Roll of Honour from Govt. College Lahore. A distinguished poet, prose writer, and translator, he has authored nine books and translated six. His autobiography, Nostalgia, has seen three editions. Honored with national and international awards, including the Mumtaz Mufti and Qaumi Adabi Awards, he has presented lectures, poetry, and research papers across North America, Europe, and Asia, leaving a lasting literary and academic legacy. 

Muhammad Sajid is an educator and scholar with over 15 years of experience mentoring students in English literature and its deep connection to human thought and culture. His academic interests extend to psychology, philosophy, history, and poetry, offering insights into the complexities of the human experience.

Born and raised in Dera Ismail Khan, the second-largest city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, he is deeply rooted in its rich cultural and literary traditions. Fond of art and creative expression, he finds inspiration in storytelling, poetry, and visual arts. Committed to fostering critical thinking and creativity, he continues to explore the power of language, identity, and society.

Hiba Heba is a Pushcart-nominated poet from Islamabad, Pakistan. Her poems have been published in Eunoia Review, Fragmented Voices, Aleph Review, Pamenar Online Magazine, Poetry Wales, among others. In 2021, Hiba was the first runner-up for the New Feathers Award. Her debut poetry collection, "Birth of a Mural" (Golden Dragonfly Press, 2023), was featured in The News Sunday as one of the Best-Loved Books of 2023. She fondly misses her cat Daisy, who holds a special place in her heart. Find more about her at www.hibaheba.com 

  Dr. Sadia Irshad holds the position of Assistant Professor of Linguistics in the Department of English at Air University Islamabad. Beyond her commitment to innovative English language teaching methods, particularly in the realm of technology-enhanced language learning, Dr. Sadia also investigates pedagogical strategies in diverse technological and linguistic settings. She serves as the Principal Investigator in an NRPU-funded research project, focusing on training prospective and novice English language teachers to integrate technology effectively into their teaching practices.

Dr. Sadia has an extensive research portfolio with publications in language education, Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), and critical discourse analysis. Her work also explores feminist discourse and other interdisciplinary subjects, reflecting her commitment to examining language through diverse analytical and sociocultural lenses. Her scholarship contributes to ongoing discussions in applied linguistics, educational technology, and discourse studies, positioning her as an influential voice in these fields.